Practice History

Read a brief summary of our story so far, and discover our roots in the communities we serve.

Donald McGregor came to Thurso in the 1960s to take over the running of the practice of John Simison. John had died suddenly, and the practice was left to his widow, Jean. Jean agreed to stay on to supervise the running of the practice, and even after her retirement she would happily help out answering phones in the evenings or weekends. The practice grew and soon became established in both the towns in Caithness.

Thurso

Over the years the practice in Thurso developed to meet the needs of the local community. Premises were bought in Princes Street, and these premises were renovated to become the town's veterinary surgery. Many 'characters' worked in the team as vets or receptionists or administative staff. Stories of those days still do the rounds at various social gatherings.

Donald was joined by two young graduates, Frank Stephen and Sinclair Manson who then became partners in the practice. Later on Hamish McLean became a partner and then he moved to Wick soon after that practice was bought.

The Thurso practice outgrew the Princes Street site and in 1995 a new surgery was built at the top of Janet Street in Thurso. Donald retired in 1996, Frank in 2010 and Sinclair in 2011, although all three came back to work on a part time basis as 'consultants' after their official retirement.

Wick

In the early eighties Wick had two veterinary practices, one run by Mr Hamilton and the other by Mr Cormack. When Robbie Hamilton retired, his practice was bought and Donald McGregor and Hamish McLean came to work in Wick. Mr Cormack continued to work on until he died at the tender age of 87.

Originally in Robert Street the practice moved to larger premises in Saltoun Street, before finally moving to new purpose built premises on the Airport Industrial Estate in 2000.